Time warp

Maclab58- I agree, I will treat the corroded areas to stop deterioration, that is all.
30modelA- The shop will get bigger once the fishing guides get their boats out for the season! I'm lucky enough to have other out buildings to keep the 4 wheeler, Bobcat and tractors in.
 
Tom, this is truly a good example of almost everything Henry did in 1931. It doesn't appear that any nut, bolt, or washer has been disturbed except the distributor parts.
I'm sure someone had to work on that to get it running after all this time.
I was told the car sat in a private collection in Virginia for over 55 years. It has state of Virginia inspection receipts in the door pouch from the early '70s that indicate
just over 3400 miles. It now has 4844 miles.
 
That pedal by the gas feed is the foot rest. It was standard and is adjustable so you
could raise it or have it the same height as the feed button or you could raise it just
enough to clear your feed if you wanted to coast, or maybe just cruise with the throttle opened a tad. I never used mine and a lot of guys remove them completely.

Jack
 
Thats just beautiful. Everything does look 'right' for a very low mileage car. Are you really certain about the red wheels? Red usually fades over the years to a washed out shade. Must have always been in the dark! I always liked to see photos of the late Dave Lopes '29 fordor & thought there would not be another Model A of such low miles.
 
real550A said:
Luke- What in particular? I'll look closer.
Click to expand...
I am not a judge and, by no means do I know anything about original cars in general but, I also see several things that would not be on a low mileage untouched car. For one and in my opinion the most obvious is the exhaust system is not original and is probably only 15 or so years old. Henry didn't have aluminized pipe and he used mandril bent pipe. That pipe is obviously bent on a modern exhaust bender. The rear hanger has been replaced with, I don't know what.
The heater door is not original even if the hole for it is. Why was the heater manifold replaced with an obviously well used standard manifold? To just mention a few. I don't want to pick the car apart but, I feel if you are left to your blindness it will only lead to embarrassment somewhere down the line. I would question this being so original.
 
I'm pretty sure it's mostly original, but things like the exhaust/manifold/heater could have been a tad rusty or corroded when it was 1st "unearthed". If it was discovered in the 70s and made to run, well those things were not that important back then. In typical OEM fashion I notice how the floors were painted in a hasty or even "lazy" way. Not a lot of coverage. I also notice the chassis black is quite flat. Old enamel fades fast with no protection on it. I'd give that car a massive bath of mild soap and water from top to bottom. No better way to learn about, and get intimate with, the details surrounding this thing.
 
theHIGHLANDER said:
I'm pretty sure it's mostly original, but things like the exhaust/manifold/heater could have been a tad rusty or corroded when it was 1st "unearthed". If it was discovered in the 70s and made to run, well those things were not that important back then. In typical OEM fashion I notice how the floors were painted in a hasty or even "lazy" way. Not a lot of coverage. I also notice the chassis black is quite flat. Old enamel fades fast with no protection on it. I'd give that car a massive bath of mild soap and water from top to bottom. No better way to learn about, and get intimate with, the details surrounding this thing.
Click to expand...
Mostly original but not untouched. There are more questions. The head looks to have been removed sometime.
 
I see lots of modern fasteners, the wear on the pedals is not indicative of a low mile car, extra spring on the throttle, non original spring shackles, repro terminal box, non original kick panels, chrome plated brake handle, are the things that stand out in my mind.

Like James, I too question the originality. I'd just hate to see you pay a premium price for what I believe is an older restoration.
 
I have to agree with Luke and James

Next update maybe this coming Sunday?.

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When this thread first started I, like others, was in awe, but in the back of my mind was the "voice" that said: too good to be true. I'm wondering if we have an earlier "restored" car with an odometer that was zeroed?? Not trying to burst anybody's bubble, but I tend to look at the glass as half empty, a fault of mine that has plagued me most of my life, always the negative.
paul in CT
paul in CT
 
No offense taken guys, I'm not anywhere near the expert on the details of originality as many of you. My description is only based upon what I'm looking at and how it was represented by the third owner. The exhaust system would be one thing I wouldn't expect to last 81 years.
Tudortomnz- The wheels have a chalky, faded look up close, and all 5 match.
 
Jim and Paul- I value the input from both of you, and the others on this fine forum.
I'm happy to be learning as I go, so you don't have to tread lightly here. One day
soon, Tom W. has offered to take a look in person, and I'm sure I'll become more aware during that visit!
 
"The heater door is not original even if the hole for it is. Why was the heater manifold replaced with an obviously well used standard manifold? "

I have an original Coupe and it has the dealer? installed heather door and car came with late manifold and heather manifold was in the trunk.


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